Likud, Kadima Form Unity Government with Shaul Mofaz as new Deputy Prime Minister скачать в хорошем качестве

Likud, Kadima Form Unity Government with Shaul Mofaz as new Deputy Prime Minister

In a surprise move, Israeli leaders have scrapped plans to hold early elections in September after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Shaul Mofaz reached an agreement to form a unity government. Netanyahu's Likud party has reportedly agreed to back a proposal by Mofaz's Kadima to do away with exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews from serving in the Israeli military in exchange for support of Likud policies until elections are held in 2013. Mofaz is expected to assume the role of deputy prime minister just weeks after replacing Tzipi Livni as the leader of the country's main opposition. Mofaz, who is a former army chief and defence minister, has been a vocal critic of Netanyahu's calls for a military strike against Iran, and his inclusion in the new government could change the course of Israeli foreign policy, at least in the short term. Leaders of smaller parties meanwhile sharply criticized the move, with Meretz leader Zahava Gal-On calling it a disgrace to the Israeli parliament, although it is expected to bring more stability to the current government.